How Cypath is maximizing performance through digital and AI

CYPATH is the second largest independent pathology group in France, with nine technical laboratories in the east part of the country. The private group analyzes over 800,000 cases per year with a specialization in histopathology, cytopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular pathology…

In a recent seminar presented at the 112th USCAP Annual Meeting, Dr. Marie Brevet, pathologist at the CYPATH Group, explained why the organization decided to move to digital pathology and gave some guidelines for making a successful transition. Access the replay and enjoy this article summarizing her presentation.

1. The motivations behind the integration of digital pathology at CYPATH

CYPATH decided to move to digital pathology for three reasons:

1.  First, they wanted to improve their organization by centralizing their expertise and specific immunostainings in one place. They wanted to reduce the need for paraffin blocks to travel to different locations and store them in one place.
2. Second, the group was faced with a shortage of pathologists, which is a reality in France, and in the world in general. To attract young pathologists and non-medical staff, the use of computational pathology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms is an attractive factor.
3. Third, computational pathology is the next revolution in the specialty; some AI algorithms are already approved in oncology. CYPATH sees potential in the use of AI algorithms to help quantify, and diagnose in a faster and more accurate way to best support the patient. Discover the list of AI algorithms, AI Apps, provided by Tribun Health and its partners.

2. The key elements before initiating a transition

Before beginning a digital transition, Dr. Marie Brevet suggests that laboratories ask themselves several questions. They should evaluate their current Laboratory Information System (LIS), think about the types of scanners and Image Management System (IMS) they want, the storage capacity they need and the costs they can invest. The selection of the LIS, scanner, IMS, storage method…etc. are not independent choices and should be thought as a common project. Discover Tribun Health’s IMS, CaloPix, an open solution offering broad compatibility with different scanners and image formats.

Labs should also evaluate the level of support and training they need from their vendor and the level of support they can provide to their staff. To initiate a digital transition as smoothly as possible, Tribun Health offers dedicated support to help make it as easy as possible. Dr. Brevet stresses the importance of involving all staff in the digital transition and providing them with appropriate training.

3. Using Artificial Intelligence to better support the pathologist’s workflow

CYPATH is in the process of integrating digital pathology. They have already implemented the digitalization in some areas of their work, such as frozen sections and molecular pathology. They have also started to use AI algorithms for breast cancer and lung cancer diagnosis. However, they still face some challenges, such as the need for more standardization, the integration of different scanners, and the development of appropriate quality control measures.

For CYPATH, AI algorithms have the potential to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnoses, reduce costs, and support the work of pathologists. AI algorithms can also help laboratories address the shortage of pathologists and improve their organization by centralizing their expertise and immunostaining.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, CYPATH’s transition to digital pathology is driven by its desire to improve its organization, address the shortage of pathologists, and exploit the potential of AI algorithms. Before embarking on a digital transition, laboratories must evaluate their current system, budget, and staff training needs. The use of AI algorithms addresses the challenges of computational pathology, and CYPATH has already begun using them for breast and lung cancer diagnosis. Although CYPATH still faces some challenges, the group is dedicated to integrating computational pathology and AI algorithms into its practice.  Access the replay for more information on how Cypath is maximizing performance through digital and AI.

SOURCE: Tribun Health